Balloon sinuplasty

Balloon Sinuplasty Treatment for Sinusitis

According to the CDC, sinusitis affects nearly 30 million Americans. Each year, sinusitis sufferers spend billions of dollars on over-the-counter treatments that often only provide minimal relief. Even endoscopic surgery rarely cures the condition, and patients typically require multiple procedures, which increases the risk of scar tissue formation and other complications. Balloon sinus dilation, also known as balloon sinuplasty, is a minimally invasive method of reopening and enlarging sinus openings while preserving tissue and maintaining normal sinus anatomy.

How Balloon Sinuplasty is Performed:

After numbing the inside of the nose with a local anesthetic, the doctor uses a flexible catheter to insert a balloon through the nose and into the sinus cavity. The balloon is inflated for five seconds, which reopens the passage to allow normal drainage. The balloon is then deflated and removed. If necessary, multiple sinuses can be treated during the same procedure.

The procedure normally takes approximately one hour and can be performed in the doctor’s office. Most patients are able to return to work and normal activities within one to two days. Patients typically notice an immediate improvement in their ability to breathe freely, and the results are long-lasting. The fact that there is no cutting or tissue removal significantly reduces the risk of complications, such as bleeding, infection, and scar formation.

Who Is a Candidate for Balloon Sinus Dilation?

Balloon sinuplasty is typically appropriate for the following individuals:

• patients with recurrent or chronic sinusitis; • patients with limited to moderate disease of the frontal, sphenoid, or maxillary sinuses; and • patients whose sinusitis symptoms have not responded to over-the-counter and prescription drug treatments.

In patients with extensive fungal or connective tissue disease, nasal polyps, or suspected cancers, balloon sinus dilation generally cannot be used as the sole treatment. The procedure is also not appropriate for patients requiring revision surgery or who have developed bony thickening or other deformities of the skull base bone or orbital wall.

To determine if balloon sinuplasty is the right treatment for your sinus symptoms, contact Southeastern Ear, Nose, Throat, and Sinus Center today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Robert Contrucci at our Pembroke Pines medical office.